“Must you really go back into that line of work?” Marilyn asks.
“Mom,” he replies softly, but there’s no mistaking the gentle censure in his tone.
“I know, I know,” she replies, holding a hand up and shaking her head. “I know it drives you nuts that I worry, but Malik… I’ve been through you deploying to war zones with the Marines and you being captured. I had really hoped that would be behind us once you were rescued.”
“We do plenty of things at Jameson that aren’t dangerous,” Malik quips, trying to lighten the mood.
“And yet, you were taken prisoner and held in captivity for five months,” his mom replies, her voice sharp as a blade. Immediately shooting me a worried look, she apologizes. “I’m so sorry, Anna. I’m just a worried mother.”
I give her an empathetic smile, because I understand her better than she thinks. I’d sent a husband off on the same mission as her son, and he’s never coming back.
And then it hits me like a wave of cold water washing over me… At some point, Malik might be going out on another dangerous mission. That’s what it means to work for Jameson—to be ever willing to lay your life on the line. I’m not sure how I feel about that.
With Jimmy, it didn’t seem real that something bad could happen. But I know that’s not the case. Now, I know very well that something horrific can happen, and my stomach rolls with nausea at the thought of Malik possibly not coming home.
Marilyn gives me a sheepish smile, turning it on her son. “Okay… I’m done. I’ve said my mother’s piece. Thank you, dear boy, for letting me vent.”
“I love you, Mom,” Malik replies warmly. “You’re allowed to worry.”
Just then, Avery takes the opportunity to wake up. She lets out a hungry screech, then a long, unending wail.
I reach over and quickly pick her up, making my apologies. “I am so sorry. She probably needs to eat and have a change.”
“No worries,” Marilyn assures me. “Been there, done that.”
Without me even asking, Malik reaches down for the small diaper bag I’d carried in and starts to rise. I shake my head, grabbing the bag from him. “I have it. You stay here.”
I move through the restaurant toward the ladies’ room, intent on having a tiny bit of privacy to feed and change Avery. My mind keeps spinning, though, wondering what the first mission Malik will be going on when Kynan lets him back out in the field. Will the fates help protect him since he came close to death already? Will the odds be greater or lesser that he’ll be safe, because surely God wouldn’t be so cruel as to take two men I cared for in that way from me.
“Want some company?” I hear from behind me. Startled, I realize Simone has followed me to the restroom. I smile as I use my hip to open the swinging door, grateful to get my mind off Malik and the potential danger he could be in. “Sure.”
Simone chatters while I feed Avery, leaning in close and cooing. She holds her for me when I finish, so I can get all the items out I need to change her diaper. It’s a ripe one.
And as I lay her down on the changing table, Simone makes the bold move to ask, “How are things going with Malik?”
I blink in surprise, give her a quick glance, then turn my attention back to Avery’s poop-filled diaper. I don’t even think to lie or put her off with some vague assurances. “It’s tough, given what he’s been through.”
“And what you’ve been through,” she murmurs.
“He told you about Jimmy and—”
“He’s told us everything,” Simone says. “He talks to my mom most frequently, but I’m a close second. Malik and I are a bonded pair the way Max and Lucas are in our family.”
I chuckle, shaking my head. “It’s just weird for me. He wants to keep us secret at work.”
“Bro code,” she mutters with an eye roll.
“Yes,” I exclaim with a laugh. “He told you that?”
Simone leans against the wall, then nods. “Like I said, Malik doesn’t hold back with us. Never has.”
I finish up with Avery, get her clothes righted, and then Simone and I take turns holding her while the other washes their hands. As we’re walking out, Avery securely back in my arms and Simone carrying the diaper bag, she puts a hand on my shoulder to halt me.
Looking at her inquisitively, I note her expression has turned solemn. “He’s been through a lot. So have you. It’s either a good thing you’re together, or it could get tougher yet as you two continue to deal with things. Please be gentle and kind with each other. I can’t even imagine your pain, Anna, but he’s my brother and I’m so worried about him.”